Ecovance+

Project

ECOVANCE+: Support for job creation in the circular economy among vulnerable groups in the cross-border region of the Basque Country, Navarre, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Project Summary

The ECOVANCE+ project, promoted by the KOINE AEQUALITAS Foundation (Navarre), is supported by the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra program (POCTEFA 2021-2027). Within POCTEFA priority No. 3, "Facilitating access to employment and quality training in the cross-border space," the project positions the social and solidarity economy as a strategic lever to create green jobs through the development of circular activities. 

Project Objectives

The ECOVANCE+ project aims to:
  • Transform traditional sectors into engines of sustainable and inclusive development
  • Identify new opportunities for circular activities in these four sectors
  • Provide social structures with the necessary tools and support to validate and implement new ideas for circular activities (training courses, observatory, governance models, etc.)

Methodology / Development

The project plans for:
  • A cross-border observatory to detect economic opportunities and skills needs, in collaboration with local companies.
  • An open innovation ecosystem centered around four sectors (textile, digital, furniture, and crafts) interconnected through a digital platform to foster cross-border cooperation among key stakeholders and transform circular business opportunities into green jobs for vulnerable people.
  • The creation of four training pathways in the circular economy based on business needs. 
  • A digital skills passport to track and enhance learning pathways.

Expected Results

The project aims to train at least 100 vulnerable people in the circular economy, support the creation of nine new ideas for circular activities, with the capacity to generate employment for 50 trained individuals. It focuses on the textile, furniture, crafts, and digital sectors to foster alliances with companies and social structures committed to sustainability and inclusion.
 

Facts

Period: January 2026 - December 2028
Keywords: #Interreg #Poctefa #Employment #IT_for_Human.
Budget: 1.5 million euros.
 

Project Participants

Coordinator/Lead: KOINE AEQUALITAS FOUNDATION (Navarre).
 
Partners: 
  • SUTARGI (Guipúzcoa)
  • ESTIA (Pirineos Atlánticos)
  • MIK (Guipúzcoa)
  • Récup’Actions 65 (Altos Pirineos)
  • BIC Crescendo (Altos Pirineos)
  • LaNum (Pirineos Atlánticos)